B
y Thomas Sellers Jr.
Since Judi Peery has taken over the day-to-day operations of Abandoned Antiques as the manager, the ownership has supported her vision to make Millington business very veteran-friendly.
When the calendar turned to 2026, Peery and the team at 8323 Highway 51 North were ready to unleash multiple celebrations in honor of those who served, currently in uniform and to recognize America’s 250th birthday.
The latest event was ‘Let’s Celebrate Our Flag’ held June 13 in ‘The Barn.’
“Today we are having a national flag ceremony because tomorrow is Flag Day across America,” Peery said. “Along with celebrating Flag Day, we’re also honoring our 250th this year. We’re honoring our veterans. We have flags outside flying with dog tags and each one represents a veteran, a soldier, a loved one. A lot of them are local with a few that are not.”
The large turnout for the Flag Day event had special guests like speaker John Covington, the Millington Central NJROTC serving and Millington Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chris Thomas in attendance.
The meaning of the Flag and the folding highlighted that event and ‘Old Glory’ was presented to 97-year-old veteran Ben Wolfe Sr.
The moments of recognition and honor continue at Abandoned Antique with the upcoming arrival of the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall on July 2.
“We had our Patriotic Tea Party in May,” Peery recalled. “Every year we have a tea party for our ladies. This year it was centered around 250. Everything was red, white and blue. Everything we do this year is going to be centered around this great Nation we live in, celebrating our 250th.
“Abandoned Antiques has the Vietnam Traveling Wall coming on July 2,” she added. “We have fireworks on the Second and we’ll have the groundbreaking for the Lone Sailor Statue that is coming. The wall will be set up and we’ll be available 24 hours a day. So if you don’t want to be bothered with the crowd, it’s better for you at 2 o’clock in the morning, come on in. The wall will be open the entire time that it is here. It leaves on Monday morning at 8 a.m.”
The Wall will be in Millington on the campus of Abandoned Antiques from July 2-5 honoring all who have served. Bumpus Harley-Davidson will escort the wall from Jackson to Millington. The Wall is scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m. on July 2.
Also that day the City of Millington will host a groundbreaking for the Lone Sailor Statue coming to town and to close out the evening, Naval Support Activity Mid-South is hosting Freedom Fest.
Freedom fest will be held behind the Navy Mid-South Conference Center. Gates open at 6 p.m. Special performance by “Twin Soul” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The City of Millington Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Bring blankets, chairs.
The party continues after July 4 at Abandoned Antiques with sales inside the store and plans for a special Veterans Day celebration in November.
“It’s our 250th birthday as a Nation,” Peery said. “We’ll never see that again. It’s wonderful and we’re still such a baby as a nation worldwide. We’re excited about that. The most exciting thing is our Flag. Here at Abandoned Antiques, we love our American Flag.
“We love our country,” Peery concluded. “We love our veterans, especially the ones who sacrificed everything for us. So we’re always honoring those who gave us the ability to be here, to speak freely and have a free economy while welcoming others from all over to come in. We’re so thankful for that platform.”
For more information, visit navymwrmidsouth.com/freedomfest2026 and for more information about the Vietnam Wall call 317-9137 or e-mail abandonedantiques@gmail.com
